An image forming apparatus including an optical scanning device that scans an object to be scanned with a beam in a main scanning direction includes a first rotation fulcrum unit and a second rotation fulcrum unit that are respectively provided in the optical scanning device on one side and on the other side in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The first rotation fulcrum unit is provided outside a scanning area of the beam in the main scanning direction. The optical scanning device is provided rotatably around a virtual rotation axial line connecting the first rotation fulcrum unit and the second rotation fulcrum unit.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An image forming apparatus including an optical scanning device that scans an object to be scanned with a beam in a main scanning direction, the image forming apparatus comprising a first fulcrum unit and a second fulcrum unit that are respectively provided in the optical scanning device on one side and on the other side in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, wherein the optical scanning device is provided rotatably around a virtual axial line connecting the first fulcrum unit and the second fulcrum unit.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a supported portion is provided on the one side in a housing of the optical scanning device, a supporting portion that supports the supported portion rotatably around the virtual axial line is provided in a body frame of the image forming apparatus, and the first fulcrum unit is composed of the supported portion and the supporting portion.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a placement unit on which the optical scanning device is placed is provided in a body frame of the image forming apparatus, a protrusion that protrudes toward a side of the optical scanning device is provided in the placement unit, and the second fulcrum unit is composed of the protrusion and a contacting portion at which the protrusion contacts a housing of the optical scanning device.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the protrusion comes into point contact with the contacting portion.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising an elastic member that presses the contacting portion toward the protrusion.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a first regulated portion is provided on the other side in the main scanning direction in a housing of the optical scanning device, and a first regulating portion that regulates rotation of the optical scanning device around the virtual axial line by contacting the first regulated portion is provided in a body frame of the image forming apparatus.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a second regulated portion is provided in a housing of the optical scanning device, and a second regulating portion that permits rotation of the optical scanning device around the virtual axial line while regulating movement of the optical scanning device in the orthogonal direction by contacting the second regulated portion is provided in a body frame of the image forming apparatus.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding portion that holds the optical scanning device on a side opposite to the first fulcrum unit and the second fulcrum unit in the main scanning direction.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the optical scanning device is configured so that a position of the optical scanning device is adjustable from a front surface side of the image forming apparatus.
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October 10, 2019
June 23, 2020
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